QWIP technology for both military and civilian applications

Sarath D. Gunapala; Carl A. Kukkonen; Mark N. Sirangelo; Barbara K. McQuiston; Riad Chehayeb; M. Kaufmann

doi:10.1117/12.445311

10 October 2001 QWIP technology for both military and civilian applications

Sarath D. Gunapala, Carl A. Kukkonen, Mark N. Sirangelo, Barbara K. McQuiston, Riad Chehayeb, M. Kaufmann

Proceedings Volume 4369, Infrared Technology and Applications XXVII; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.445311
Event: Aerospace/Defense Sensing, Simulation, and Controls, 2001, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Advanced thermal imaging infrared cameras have been a cost effective and reliable method to obtain the temperature of objects. Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector (QWIP) based thermal imaging systems have advanced the state-of-the-art and are the most sensitive commercially available thermal systems. QWIP Technologies LLC, under exclusive agreement with Caltech University, is currently manufacturing the QWIP-Chip^TM, a 320 X 256 element, bound-to-quasibound QWIP FPA. The camera performance falls within the long-wave IR band, spectrally peaked at 8.5 μm. The camera is equipped with a 32-bit floating-point digital signal processor combined with multi- tasking software, delivering a digital acquisition resolution of 12-bits using nominal power consumption of less than 50 Watts. With a variety of video interface options, remote control capability via an RS-232 connection, and an integrated control driver circuit to support motorized zoom and focus- compatible lenses, this camera design has excellent application in both the military and commercial sector. In the area of remote sensing, high-performance QWIP systems can be used for high-resolution, target recognition as part of a new system of airborne platforms (including UAVs). Such systems also have direct application in law enforcement, surveillance, industrial monitoring and road hazard detection systems. This presentation will cover the current performance of the commercial QWIP cameras, conceptual platform systems and advanced image processing for use in both military remote sensing and civilian applications currently being developed in road hazard monitoring.

Citation Download Citation

Sarath D. Gunapala, Carl A. Kukkonen, Mark N. Sirangelo, Barbara K. McQuiston, Riad Chehayeb, and M. Kaufmann "QWIP technology for both military and civilian applications", Proc. SPIE 4369, Infrared Technology and Applications XXVII, (10 October 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.445311

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